La Cena di Troppo Buona

[Botafogo]

To celebrate our first day off since a week before Thanksgiving, we had a dinner at Rocca in Santa Monica last night that might have been the best wine dinner we have ever put on. Bacchus would have been proud:

la Cena di Troppo Buona (the Too Much Good Dinner)

Champagne Reception:
Crostini Misti, Eggplant Caponata, Mushrooms Trifolati, Tuna Spuma, Grilled Panini with Black Truffle Caciotta, Grilled Shrimp Spedini Arrabiata, Pheasant Arancini

Guy Larmandier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cramant Millésime 1998

H. Billiot Brut Cuvée Tradition Grand Cru à Ambonnay

Vilmart & Cie Grand Cuvée Creation 1996 Brut à Rilly


Antipasti
Roasted Marrow Bones with Parsley Salad and Fettunta (kills Vegans on contact!), Honey-Crisp Carrot Sformato with Pan-Fried Squab Livers, Spicy Braised Fennel with Mint, Anchovies and Mollica, Roasted Cauliflower with Gaetas and Caperberries

Plus A Study of Prosciutto: San Daniele, Parma Gran Riserva, Culatello & Speck

Il Falchetto Langhe Arneis 2003, Piemonte

Laimburg Südtirol Riesling 2003, Alto Adige

Marco Donati Lagrein Rosato Fratte Alte 2003, Trentino


Primi

Rigatoni Al Forno With Chanterelles, Goat Cheese, White Truffle Essence and Breadcrumbs

Conti Sertoli Salis Valtellina Superiore Corte Della Meridiana 1999, Lombardia

Curto Rosso Fontanelle 1999, Sicilia

Balgera Vini Sforzato Tradizionale Valtellina Superiore 1996, Lombardia


Short Rib Angolotti With Pan Drippings and Asiago

Mustilli Sant’Agata dei Goti Aglianico Vigna Cesco di Nece 1999, Campania

Enzo Mecella Rosso Conero Riserva Rubelliano 1998, le Marche

BelColle Barbaresco Roncaglie 1999, Piemont


Secondi

Barbequed Leg of Lamb With Salsa Verde and Minted Yogurt, Anson Mills Polenta, Chestnut Honey Glazed Turnips, Pea Tendrils

Salvioni Brunello di Montalcino Cerbaiola 1999, Toscana

Barone de Cles Vigneti delle Dolomiti Rosso Cardinale 1999, Trentino

Baltieri Amarone della Valpolicella Sortilegio 2000, Veneto


Dolci

Warm Chocolate Nutella Cake with Caramel Gelato and Frangelico Sauce

Salvatore Murana Moscato Passito di Pantelleria Khamma 2000, Sicilia

Cascina Fonda Vendemmia Tardiva 2003, Piemonte


Happy New Year everyone, 13 days till Rio, Roberto

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 12-28-2004).]

[Thomas]

Looks lovely Roberto. One question: why Champagne instead of Franciacorta?

[Botafogo]

Because we have a sign in front of the store that says "Champagne World Headquarters" and stock over 200 labels...

I love Franciacorta but they don't make ANYTHING like those three Champagnes we poured.

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 12-28-2004).]

[Thomas]

You sell-out [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/eek.gif[/img]

[Zinner]

Wow, what a celebration! Sounds like you made up for anything you missed while working through all those days.

[winoweenie]

MISSED??? Roberto hasn't missed a meal since Hector was a pup. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[Botafogo]

True 'dat Verne but, when we are slammed for a month and a half, most of those meals are bad pizza, burritos and burgers. That meal reminded me what great cooking can be again. And the wine was good too....

[winoweenie]

Sounds like a real kick-in-the-head as sung.
WW